County Executive Casley presented his FY26 budget priorities to the County Council on May 1, stressing an emphasis on fiscal restraint, operational efficiencies and targeted investments.

Casley said the administration avoided unsustainable spending and chose to dial back growth rather than raise broad-based taxes. "We have to live within the taxpayers' means, not our own," he said. He credited several internal changes for improving county finances, including procurement reforms, a fleet study, investments in IT and a retirement incentive that reduced payroll costs.

The executive described a set of targeted fee adjustments the administration advanced with council support: permit fees, 9-1-1 fees, tipping fees and impact fees were updated where previously unadjusted for more than a decade to better align user charges with operating costs. Casley emphasized the county did not raise fees to grow general revenue, but to ensure users of specific services bear their costs. He also said the tipping fee increase responded to a Baltimore County decision that affects Harford's disposal costs.

On public safety, Casley highlighted a 6 percent pay increase for sheriff deputies aligned to a 2022 salary study and said the county added 30 patrol cars and expanded the county ambulance fleet to 17 units. For education, the proposed budget would meet the Board of Education's operating request, representing a 9 percent increase and about $27 million above maintenance-of-effort; when teacher pension contributions are included the executive cited roughly $30 million above maintenance-of-effort.

Casley also outlined capital and services priorities: a new Whiteford firehouse, court safety upgrades, parks and recreation improvements, expanded agricultural preservation, and a combined new elementary school plus repairs and renovations at several schools. He said the administration is trying to strike a balance between reserve rebuilding and funding core services.

On tourism and economic growth, Casley previewed the county's investment in a new digital platform and brand under the HelloHarford initiative to better capture visitor data and support local businesses. He described the platform as a shared data and marketing resource for hotels, events and attractions.

Casley closed by reaffirming the administration's pledge to fiscal stewardship while asking the council to continue partnering on challenging choices. "Our number one priority is public safety," he said, and added the administration would continue to look for efficiencies while seeking to preserve key services.